Over one million business owners snubbed by lenders

New research from Amigo Loans reveals over one millionsole traders have been given the cold shoulder by mainstream lenders, with nearly a third of one man bands admitting they’ve been turned down for a loan.

Of those who have been refused, a quarter think they would have a better chance seeking funding by asking a stranger on the street, with a quarter preferring to look down the back of the sofa!

The survey of 500 sole traders found that when refused credit, entrepreneurs are turning to their nearest and dearest for financial support. Two fifths (40%) turn to family and almost a third (30%) look to their friends to give them a helping hand.

Despite support from loved ones, a worrying two fifths (42%) of business entrepreneurs are also dipping into their overdraft to fund their aspirations. This comes despite the fact authorised overdraft fees have hit record highs this summer as the banks introduce new usage fees. These fees have forced the cost of using an overdraft up to six times that in 2009 with the typical cost of an authorised overdraft now £140 a year. If the overdraft isn’t authorised this can be substantially higher with charges of up to £35 for each payment made.

However, what is perhaps more alarming is that over 1 in 20 business start-ups which have been turned down by mainstream lenders didn’t look anywhere else to support with funding. This means nearly 73,000potential businesses may have simply faded away because they haven’t been able to access the funding they needed.

Glen Crawford, CEO of Amigo Loans, commented: “It’s a disgrace that the people who keep our society operating, the mobile hairdressers, the wedding photographers, cleaners, cafe owners, mechanics, driving instructors and a whole host of other ambitious sole traders are being alienated by banks –the bankers have forgotten why they exist.”

“Whilst some responses may be tongue in cheek, our findings outline the clear lack of confidence people have in high street lenders. At Amigo we have the flexibility to lend to microbusinesses because of the way we lend. If a borrower’s family and friends trust them and they can afford the repayments, we’ll support any business. We have already helped over 6000 businesses across the UK”